Thank you.. to all who helped to put on our Children’s Choir and Pageant this year!

Choir members were

Isabelle, Victoria, Iris, Zade, Cydney, Vanessa, Isabelle, Stevie, Madisen.

Thank you to our musicians, Xander Sporck, Jose Tapia, Zaira Lobo, and Patricia Miller.

Thank you to all the children and parents who participated in the pageant, shuttling children to rehearsals, and helping with costumes and keeping order: Charlee Elerath, Kathy Quick and Kim Hanrahan.

Angels: Iris, Stevie, Cydney, Vanessa, Isabelle, Isabelle, Antonella.

Shepherds: Chase, Hugo, Zade and Ulyesses.
Angel of the Lord: Victoria.
Joseph: Jordan.
Mary: Megan.
Seamstress: NancyLindsey.

Come Celebrate the Feast of
St. Thomas of Canterbury

Please join us for mass at 7pm on tonight Tuesday, December 29 to celebrate the patron saint of our parish, St. Thomas Becket (aka St. Thomas of Canterbury). After mass, we will have popcorn and hot drinks. We will watch a short video and Fr. Hao will lead us in a discussion of the life of this brave saint. This event is appropriate for adults and children alike so bring your families.



All children are invited to bring one thing they received for Christmas to "Show and Tell".

No RSVP necessary, but call Sherry if you wish to help with food or drink for this event. (408) 364-8840 or sscott@dsj.org

Monthly Food and Clothing Drive is this Sunday, December 20. Please bring your items and present them during the offeratory at any mass this weekend. Emergency Housing Consortium is still in great need of blankets.

Giving Tree gifts due this Friday, December 18. Please bring your giving tree gifts to the parish office by Friday, 2pm. Every ornament was taken from the tree. What a testament to the generosity of our faith community!

As part of our preparations for the celebration of Jesus' birth, we can remember that even if we don't have all of the fancy cars and clothes as our neighbors, there is always someone who has less that we. Let us put the faith that we celebrate each week at mass into practice by imitating Jesus' care and concern for others. We believe that we are the Body of Christ in the world, let's show that in our actions.

Congratulations to the following parishioners who received their First Reconciliation this past Saturday!

Cynthia, Isabelle, Cydney, Vanessa, Philip, Kiele, Stevie, Gabby, and Haley.

Please continue to pray for them as they now turn their attention toward preparing for First Holy Communion.

Confirmation classes for our five candidates for confirmation in May of 2010 will begin on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10-11:15am in the Thomas room. Please pray for Amanda Lavond, Katie DiLeo, Rachel Moore, Samantha Supan, and Sara Lennon as well as their catechists, Kathy Small and Kathy Quick as they begin their immediate preparation for confirmation.

Catechetical Ministry

There will be no CM classes on Tuesday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 29. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

There will be no preschool classes or Children's Liturgy of the Word on Sunday, December 27 and January 3. Preschool and Children' Liturgy will resume on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Youth Choir

Please note: We've added another rehearsal and extended the times!

Two remaining rehearsals are:
Monday, December 21, 1-2:30pm and
Tuesday, 5:30-7:00pm.
All children ages 7-18 are welcome to join us. Questions? Sherry Scott sscott@dsj.org

Christmas Eve Gospel Dramatization

Final rehearsal for the Christmas Eve pageant is Tuesday, Decmber 22, 5:30-7pm in the church. Please note that we have extended the time 1/2 hour.

Upcoming rehearsals

The reconciliation service this morning was prayerful and also joyful. Congratulations to our nine students who received the sacrament for the very first time. It was warm and friendly in the church this morning in stark contrast to the gloomy clouds and pouring rain outside.

I am emailing to invite all of our parish children to participate in the Christmas Eve Mass at 5pm. We would like to have a large choir and also a pageant full of angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. We also need our teens to sign up to be readers. If you are interested, please contact me.

Choir and pageant practice is this Tuesday, December 15 and next Tuesday, December 22 from 5:30-6:30pm.

The 15th is the last day of CM class for 2009. We will reconvene on January 5, 2010.

Saturday, December 12, 9:30am

is our Parish Reconciliation Service

This is also the first reconciliation for nine of our young parishioners: Cynthia, Isabelle, Cydney, Vanessa, Philip, Kiele, Stevie, Gabby, and Haley.

We are talking in class alot about preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The students repeatedly mention cleaning up their rooms and cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas.

One of the best ways to prepare our hearts is to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. It's sort of like a house cleaning of our souls, or taking a spiritual inventory. It can help us to recognize those areas in our lives where we need to do something better.. or maybe stop doing something that is harmful to ourselves or others.

I strongly encourage every family to take advantage of this opportunity on Saturday. In addtition, it is very important for us to show our support and congratulate our nine students. Our older students can model, by their example, that regular celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation is key to a healthy spiritual life.

One of the biggest draws of the Catholic faith, in my opinion, is the belief in a merciful God. What a wonderful thing we celebrate this Saturday! Come and be a part of it.

Tuesday, Dec. 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is the day when we celebrate that Mary was conceived without original sin. We will celebrate with mass at 4pm and again at 7pm. This is a holy day of obligation. Parents may pick up their students from the classrooms after mass. If you have students attending at both 4pm and 7pm, the entire family need only attend one of the masses.

Did you know that if tomorrow is the celebration of Mary's conception, then her birthday is celebrated on September 8? Many Catholics confuse the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Annunciation. The Annunciation is when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear God's son. The Annunciation is celebrated on March 24. The birth of Jesus is December 25. (Just a little Catholic trivia for you.)

Youth Choir Rehearsals this month:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15 and 22, 5:30-6:30pm in the church.
All children ages 7-18 are welcome to join us. Questions? Sherry Scott sscott@dsj.org.
---------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve Gospel Dramatization

Any students interested in being part of the Christmas Eve Pageant, please come to a rehearsal on December 8, 5:30-6:30pm in the church. Parts will be given out at that time for the pageant. There will be a dress rehearsal on Dec 22, 5:30-6:30pm. You may also contact Sherry at sscott@dsj.org

Coming Up in December...

Giving Tree Parish Outreach Program
Runs from Nov 28 to Dec 18
Choose an ornament from the tree in the church.
Buy a gift for one of our families in need.
Return it to the tree wrapped with ornament by the due date.
Questions? Contact Sherry sscott@dsj.org


Parent’s Night Out
Friday, Dec 4, 6-9pm
Our treat to you. Drop your child off in Becket Hall for an evening of games and movie, while you shop, wrap or otherwise prepare for the season. Donations gratefully accepted.
A service to CM families, benefiting CM families. Please RSVP to Sherry by Dec 2 so we can plan for this event. sscott@dsj.org


Advent Morning of Prayer
(Adults/Teens only)
Saturday, Dec 5, 9-11:30am


Youth Mass (with choir)
Sunday, Dec 6, 11am


Nativity Display
Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, after all masses
Come and see the wide variety of nativity displays from our parishioners. If you have a Nativity Scene which you would like to show during our display, please contact Carol Reiss or call the parish office, 378-1595.


Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Tuesday, Dec 8, masses at 4pm and 7pm
(students are dropped off for class as usual, parents are encouraged to stay for mass)


Parish Reconciliation/
First Reconciliation Service
All CM families are encouraged to attend
Saturday, Dec 12, 9:30am

Youth Ministry Christmas Caroling
Friday, Dec 18, time TBD
All ages are welcome to come caroling with our teens. We will also come to your house if you live nearby and give us your address.

Need a break?

Want to find time to pray in your busy workweek?

Check out these two websites from Loyola Press. (Loyola Press is the publisher of our catechetical textbook series.)

"Finding God" daily 3 minute retreat

http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer.htm

Sunday Connection (This site gives you the readings for Sunday mass. It helps you to prepare for full, conscious and active participation during the Liturgy.)

http://www.loyolapress.com/sunday-connection.htm

Advent Family Workshop Photos

Yesterday, we praised Jesus in song as we celebrated the feast of Christ the King. We shared a meal together and we made a countdown to Christmas calendar for use in our homes during the season of Advent.

This wonderful event could not have taken place without the generous support of many. For coodinating and serving the breakfast, I thank Marika Harkins and Lucy Chai. For leading us in song, I thank Luisa, Mark and Jackson Lennon. For sewing, ironing, and a multitude of cutting, I am very grateful to Nancy Lindsey, Diana Valdez, Marisa and Kiele Pozas, Diane Dalton, Kim Hanrahan, Carol Reiss, and Brenda Osborne. For set up and clean up, I thank Vicki Schwoob Ralene Wasielewski and Luisa Lennon.

All of the food for breakfast was donated by: Sandra Tagatac, Delia Besio, Kathy Quick, Kathy Foos, Ralene Wasielewski, Vicki Schwoob, David Silva, Marianne Etzel, Leticia Tapia, Maria Panelli, and Ying Holden.

Youth Ministry Retreat

Our teens really enjoyed the retreat this past weekend. It was all about music! We focused on the Psalms as the music of the Bible. We rocked, rapped, did a country line dance and so much more! "Shimmy!"

My favorite part was the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It was inspiring to me to be part of so large a group; to pray and meditate in front of the Monstrance, in the candlelit semidarkness.

The annual Faith Formation Conference is one week away!!!
Don’t miss this inspirational gathering. It is a time to connect with other ministers from five dioceses, to learn and be nourished to serve the Lord. For online registration and more information click http://sitekreator.com/faithformation/main_page.html This event is open to catechists, liturgical ministers and any adult who wishes to strengthen their faith. We will be carpooling to and from St. Thomas for this two day event which is held at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Can only attend one day? That's OK.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!!

Reconciliation Workshop

Our workshop on Saturday was a time to reflect on what we are learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our students also made a beautiful clothes pin crucifix, do you know the difference between a cross and a crucifix?

Parent Helpers Needed

on Tuesday, November 10, during class times. I need a few parents to cut out handprints for the Kairos ministry. Also, I need a few parents to sort t-shirts for our Youth Retreat this weekend.

Monthly Food and Clothing Drive

This weekend after all masses. This is a great way to live out the corporal works of mercy and model that for your children.

You may also drop off non-perishable foods and new and gently used blankets and clothing on Tuesday during classes.

Pat Arand needs a few helpers on Sunday at noon to sort food. (the teens who usually help are on retreat) If can help out for an hour, please email me at sscott@dsj.org

Advent Family Workshop



Thank you to all who have already signed up! All are welcome to come enjoy fellowship with your St. Thomas community while we reflect together on the meaning of Advent with fun music, games, and yummy continental breakfast. We will make the Countdown to Advent calendar you see here.


Day: Sunday, November 22
Time: 10:00am-12noon
Place: Becket Hall

Kindly RSVP by Tuesday November 18 to Sherry Scott at:

(408) 973-1098 or sscott@dsj.org with your family name and number of adults and kids attending. We want to make sure we have enough crafts and food for all.

Youth Weekend Retreat coming up.

The Youth Ministry team will take several of our teens on a weekend retreat, Nov 14-15. We ask the community to pray for us as we go off together to pray and to listen to God speaking to us, away from the busy-ness of our lives.

Fall Festival a success!

Many, many thanks to all who helped to make our First Fall Festival a success! The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Everywhere I looked people seemed to be truly enjoying themselves. We are blessed to be part of such a collaborative community of faith.

I am collecting feedback from the event, so please email your comments, both what to keep and what to improve upon, to sscott@dsj.org

This event would not have been possible without the help of the following parishioners:

In the kitchen: Marika Harkins, Joan and Greg Sease, their son, daughter and their 3 grandchildren, Bill McPeak, Mike Froess, Maria Etheridge, Mary de Leo, Lucy Chai, Hedwig Harkins, Lorene and Roger Hughes, Sue and Jackie Winklebleck, Ziggy Freslassie, John Cruickshank, Ken and Margaret Shieck,

With the drinks: Frank and Becky Muller and John and Edith Cruikshank.
Setup/tear down/facilities: Alan Welch.
Silent Auction coordinator: Kathy Quick.
Music and announcements: Luisa Lennon.
Pumpkin Walk: Hank, Vicki, Jessica and Kenny Schwoob, Leticia Tapia, Alicia Dagdagan, Samantha Supan.
Ticket Sales: Pat Arand.

Games: Rocky Tilney, Kathy Foos, David Silva.

Shifts: Curtis, Nancy and Madison Lindsey, Joe, Mary, Katie and Thomas DiLeo, Doug and Anne Moe, Ying, Matt, James and Joshua Holden, Rocky Tilney, David Silva, Delia Besio, John Ordona, Capella Kerst, Marina Valdez, Meg Alduino, Ralene Wasielewski, Antonella Biondi, Sara Machado, Jeremy Panelli, Kim Hanrahan, Steve Salcido, and the students from Canyon Heights Academy: Alexandra, Emika Lewis, Josh Parker, Joel Parker, and Carbel.

Food contributors: Lorene Hughes, Cynthia Ruiz, Rosemarie Luck, Meg Bullock, Amy Trayer, Donna Poppenhagen, Ralene Wasielewski, Eleanor Licup, Patricia Soraire, Maria Panelli, Betty Theresi, Jo Ann McPeak, Diane Dalton, Evan Rust, Delia Besio, Mary DiLeo, Corina Martin.

Underwriting: three anonymous contributors.

To wrap up, our silent auction took in $808, and a preliminary look at our numbers shows that we profited $1,700, all of which will go towards our catechetical programs.

Youth Mass
Sunday, November 1, 11am

Our second Youth Mass is this coming Sunday. Choir members, be at the church by 10:30am.

If you have a child who would like to participate in the Youth Masses as a greeter, usher, reader or choir member, please contact Sherry at sscott@dsj.org

The next Youth mass will be on December 6, at 11am.

The next choir rehearsals will be on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and 17, from 5:30-6:30pm.

Advent Family Breakfast

Sunday, November 22, 10-12noon, Becket Hall

The entire parish family is welcome to join the catechetical ministry in celebrating and preparing for the season of Advent. We will enjoy a continental breakfast after the 9am mass while we share our knowledge and experiences of the season and brainstorm ways to celebrate the true meaning of Advent/Christmas. Families will create an advent keepsake to treasure!

This event is part of the catechetical program, meaning, CM families are expected to attend.

Please RSVP to Sherry by Nov 17.

Faith Formation Conference, " The word of God, coming to life", is coming to the Santa Clara Convention Center, November 20-21.

Register by Friday, October 30. Let's get a large group of catechists and volunteers and carpool from St. Thomas to and from the event on Friday and Saturday. If you have work commitments or family commitments, you may sign up for just one of the days. For more information or to register online go to: http://www.dsj.org/education/catechetical-ministry/faith-formation-conference

It's a great way to get some continuing formation whether you are a beginning catechist or a seasoned veteran.

RSVP carpools to Sherry at sscott@dsj.org

Bible Presentation Ceremony
Tuesday, November 3, 7pm, Becket Hall

For 5th and 6th grade CM students and their families. Parents of 5th and 6th grade CM students: please plan to attend. You will be presenting a bible to your student. The ceremony will take about 30 minutes. rsvp to Sherry at sscott@dsj.org

Tips for preventing the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

In addition to the prevention guidelines we are following at mass ( http://www.dsj.org/about-us/bishops/bishops-statements/adaptations-of-liturgical-norms-in-response-to-a-request-from-th), we are also taking precautions when we gather for catechetical classes. (http://www.dsj.org/education/catechetical-ministry/pandemic-catechetical-plan)

I'd like to point out a few of the measures we have taken at St. Thomas to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. First, we are asking the students to wash their hands when arriving at St. Thomas and just before they have snack. Second, we are preparing our snack in individual containers. Third, we are wiping down tables and chairs between the 4pm and 7pm sessions. Fourth, we have segregated the students' writing and craft supplies in individual, labeled containers.

If your student is running a fever, or is sick, do not send them to class. The child must be without a fever, unassisted by fever reducing medication, for 24 hours before they can return to class.

Here is some advice from the CDC: exerpt from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is available now and initial doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine also are available, with additional doses available later this year.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Stay informed.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

Our 2010 Parish Photo Directory needs YOU!

Lifetouch is photographing our parish families all this week. If you have not yet signed up for your photo session, you may do so at our website at www.stcsj.org There are still some slots available. We want all of our families to be included in our photo directory.

When talking to the CM students about it tonight, one of our catechists explained that our directory is like a family photo album. Everyone from our parish family needs to be included in it. If you have recently had a professional portrait taken of your family, you may give us a copy to be included rather than have another photo taken.

Monthly Food and Clothing Drive

at all of the masses this weekend, Oct. 17-18. What a great way to unstuff those closets and get the children involved in generous giving. Bring your items to the altar during the Presentation of the Gifts at any mass this weekend.

Fall Festival is coming to St. Thomas!

Mark your calendars for our parish-wide festival on Saturday, October 24, from 11am-4pm.

We will have an inflatable slide for the kids, plenty of games and prizes, face painting and a pumpkin walk. We have hamburgers, hotdogs, homemade chili, homemade pies and cupcakes.

Each class is contributing a theme basket to the silent auction. Don't have time to purchase an item for the class basket, you can donate $5-10 and a volunteer will make the purchases for you. Please bring your item or cash donation to class on Tuesday.

Tickets for the festival will go on sale this weekend, (Oct. 17-18) after all the masses. Tickets will also be on sale in the office during business hours (9-2pm M-F) and before and after CM classes on Tuesday, Oct 20.

Wristbands $10 in advance, $12 at the door (includes unlimited slide and games and two chances at the Pumpkin walk)

Tickets are 6 for $5 in advance and $1 each at the door. Tickets are good for food and drinks.

We still need volunteers to work the games during the event, if you haven't signed up yet, please contact Sherry.

Youth Choir

Do you play an instrument? Do you like to sing? Then sign up for our Youth Choir. The youth choir will practice twice/month from 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesdays. The Youth Choir will sing at the 11:00am mass on the first Sunday of each month, except for January. Also, on Easter Sunday they will sing at 9am instead of 11:00am.

Practices are:

October 20 and 27 for Mass on November 1

November 10, 17 and December 1 for Mass on December 6

December 8, 15 and 22 for Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, 5pm

No mass in January

January 26 and February 2 for Mass on February 7

February 22 and March 2 for Mass on March 7

Maarch 23 and 30 for Easter Sunday Mass at 9am, April 4

April 20 and 27 for Mass on May 2 (First Holy Communion)

Click here to download a flyer and sign up form:
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hZGU4M2M1NGItYjE5ZS00YjU5LWFmOGMtOTA5MDRmMGY2Nzcy&hl=en

Catechetical Ministry Calendar 2009-2010

View our calender here.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hYjE5MDlmMTQtMDk2NC00ODVmLWIwODMtYWI5ZTBjZDRmMzk3&hl=en

VIRTUS Safe Environment workshops

Our Safe-Environment workshops are almost completed. This year we completed lessons 5 and 6 from the VIRTUS manual. The children in grades 3/4 and up wrote letters to their parents explaining what they have learned about staying safe. The letters will be mailed out shortly.

Click here to read a letter from Sherry about the Safe Environment Program.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hYTQ0MjVmYzctMzRjZC00NmI1LThlYjYtZjBlN2Y4MzM2NGJj&hl=en

Your child's participation in the Safe Environment program is not mandatory. If you would like to opt-out of the Safe Environment workshop, please click here to print the Opt-Out form.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hYWIwZTY1ZWItOGIxYy00MWE0LWJjZjYtMTNjZDMxMzgwODMy&hl=en

Lesson Schedules by class:

If your student is going to miss a class, you will need to read the material with them at home. Here are our lesson plans by grade level so you know which lesson we are covering each week.

First year class
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hODNiOWFiNzItMzliMC00NTQwLTg3YTQtNzUzOTY4MDZmNzZk&hl=en

Second year class

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hYmY1OGI4MTEtMjhlNC00YzI1LTk3NDgtYWRiMDAwMDdlMzRk&hl=en

Third/Fourth grade class

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hNzFjOTUyYmQtMzY1MC00OGQ2LWI3MzktM2NlNzZlZTAzNzQ1&hl=en

Fifth grade class

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hOWUzYjliNWYtYzg5Yy00Mzg2LWFmZTktZWZkMGM3ZTQ5Y2Y3&hl=en

Sixth grade class

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hNjYxODcwOGQtYTk3ZS00N2FjLWFiYzQtNTVmNzQ5Y2Y4ZTc5&hl=en

Seventh grade class

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hNzI2YjZkMjAtZmQ2Mi00NjczLTg3YjMtODI0ZDNlNTU2NTcw&hl=en

Our Youth Ministry team is planning a Retreat for highschoolers. The retreat date is November 14-15. We will spend the weekend at Camp Redwood Glen in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. Permission forms are due to the parish office by October 18.

For more information/retreat fees see our flyer:

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hYzNkNTJhMjktNzc0NS00MjcwLTkwZTEtMDkxZTBlYWQ5NGZh&hl=en

For our permission form:

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hMmIwOWIzMGQtZWQwNC00ZjgyLWI2MTktYTAxZDA2MWE5ZDFk&hl=en

Click here to access our CM forms and documents:

Family Handbook

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hNGQ1MTNjZTItZjI4OC00YmM1LWEyY2MtMmRiOTg5MmU4MWJh&hl=en

Registration 2009-2010

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hMWQwYTgxYTYtYTIzYS00N2VmLTllZTMtZDFlYjRlMDlkOGM1&hl=en

Emergency Form

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hNDA5OGQ0NDUtZjM0ZS00MzE2LTg5MTQtODdiY2Q3NjQyMWRh&hl=en

Volunteer Form

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3vdg1COCS0hZGJkYjk0ZmUtYjJhMy00MGQwLWJjNjEtNjljODljZjc0NzRh&hl=en

Sessions and Times

Preschool through Kindergarten (3, 4 and 5-year-olds). During 9 am Mass each Sunday October-June
Grades 1 through 4. Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:15 pm
Grades 5 through 8. Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 pm

Family Gatherings. This is part of the Catechetical Program. For 2009 we have two Family Gatherings.
o Advent Family Workshop, Sunday, November 22, 12-2pm
o Lenten Soup Supper and Stations, Friday, February 26, 2010, 6- 8:30pm

Youth Ministry
which is separate from Catechetical Ministry but a mandatory experience before entering Confirmation Preparation Program. Youth ministry is to help young people discover their Catholic identity and to call them to an active life in the Christian family. To accomplish this, it is necessary to recognize youth as "CHURCH" and to welcome their rich and spiritual style of expressing their faith. High School (grades 9-12) meets two Saturday evenings/month at 6:30 pm.

Liturgy of the Word for Children
serves grades 1 through 6. Children are invited to celebrate the Word of God at the 9 am Sunday Mass in a manner understandable to their age level. The children meet with adult and teen leaders after the Opening Prayer and return to the regular Mass at the Presentation of the Gifts.

Catechetical Ministry

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Mt19:14

Philosophy

Catechetical Ministry is a share in Jesus’ own mission of proclaiming the Reign of God. Catechesis is that activity which enables faith to become living, conscious, and active through the light of instruction — especially sharing God's Word in Scripture and sharing the tradition of the Catholic Church. Catechesis is a life-long process for each individual as well as the work of the entire Catholic Christian community.

The Church teaches that the primary responsibility for the spiritual growth and development of children rests first and foremost with their parents. Parents may share this responsibility with others, but they do not relinquish it.

The Church assists parents in passing on their faith through the ministry of catechesis. Catechists echo the Catholic faith in a way that those being catechized (children, youth, and adults) can understand. Catechists must do more than merely teach about their faith. They help children/youth build and strengthen their relationship with Jesus and the Church. Catechists do this by proclaiming the Word, building a sense of community, which leads to prayer and worship, encouraging loving service to others, and living lives as examples to others.

Our catechists are all volunteers, from many walks of life. They are people who have answered a call to minister to our children/youth and who have prepared themselves in a variety of ways to serve as catechists. Above all, they are people for whom faith is important enough to share.

The catechetical process seeks to open children/youth to the discovery of the goodness and beauty of God as reflected in their world, and help them to experience this world within the Catholic Christian community. It seeks to help them grow further in their faith, their understanding of our Catholic tradition, our unity in Christ, and the many gifts of the Holy Spirit.


The goals of the Catechetical Ministry Program at St. Thomas of Canterbury are:

I. Ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ

II. Full participation in the life of the Catholic Church